Paris 2024 Olympic medal winners from Northern Ireland have donated £100,000 in Northern Ireland Government ‘Reward’ Funding to the schools and clubs where they honed their skills.
The Olympic Medallist Fund was established by the Northern Ireland Executive and administered through Sport NI. It was designed to recognise and reward medal success on the Olympic stage.
Athletes received £20,000 for gold, £10,000 for silver, and £5,000 for bronze. All six recipients have chosen to pass it on, creating a personal legacy from their achievements.
Daniel Wiffen, who won gold in the 800 metres freestyle and bronze in the 1500 metres, has donated his £25,000 grant to St Patrick’s Grammar School in Armagh, where he was once a pupil. The funds will be used to expand the school’s gym facilities with new cardio and strength training equipment, creating lasting benefits for future generations of students.
“I’m incredibly proud to announce that I’ve donated my full £25,000 award to support the development of a new school gym at St Patrick’s Grammar School, Armagh — the place where my swimming journey began,” he wrote last night on LinkedIn.
“St Pat’s was instrumental in shaping my early sporting life, and it means a lot to give back in a way that creates a long-term impact.”
Rhys McClenaghan, who won Gold for Team Ireland in the pommel horse, gave his £20,000 award to Origin Gymnastics in Newtownards. The money will also be used to enhance the gym’s facilities and support junior athlete memberships, directly benefiting the next wave of young gymnasts.
Rower Philip Doyle, who secured bronze in the men’s double sculls alongside Daire Lynch, donated his £5,000 to Belfast Boat Club to help improve accessibility in rowing by funding fitness equipment designed for inclusive use by people with disabilities.
The three other Northern Irish athletes who represented Team GB also took part in the donation scheme.
Rower Hannah Scott, a gold medallist, supported her home club Bann Rowing Club with £20,000 towards new oars and boats.
Fellow rower Rebecca Shorten, who won silver, donated £10,000 to Methodist College Belfast Rowing Club, which will now be able to purchase a new single scull for competition use.
Swimmer Jack McMillan, who also won gold, directed his £20,000 to Bangor Swimming Club, enabling the club to invest in new poolside training equipment.
It is understood that similar arrangements would have been in place for any Northern Ireland medal winners at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
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This is money in addition to the funding that athletes received for training and their own performance programmes. It’s a nice gesture to give something back to the local communities that played a key part at the start of their sporting journeys.
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